Top 10 largest M&A deals

The total value of mergers and acquisitions stood at 113.4 billion dollars, the lowest level since September 2004, Thomson Reuters informs. In first four months of 2009, M&A market suffered a 35% decline year-on-year, to 599.6 billion dollars.

Thus, if in September 2004 2557 deals were announced, some 2713 were registered in April this year.

The following list is a top of 10 largest merger and acquisition deals worldwide, ranked by size, according to Thomson Reuters.

1. The largest deal of the year so far was the acquisition of Wyeth by Pfizer for 64.5 billion dollars, which made the pharma industry the most dynamic sector in the last decay in terms of mergers and acquisitions.

2. The second largest deal of 2009 was the takeover by Schering-Plough by Merck’s for 46 billion dollars.

3. The merger of Airtel Ltd with South Africa’s MTN, which could be worth more than 23 billion dollars.

4+5. Fourth and fifth positions are taken by the nationalization of Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland. The two banks became public in February, while covering the debt load would cost the government 1,000 pounds.

6. Suncor/Petro-Canada (15 billion) – took the number 6 spot. Suncor Energy Inc, the second largest crude producer from oil sands bought Petro Canada in a move to gain assets in the North Sea.

7. Liberty Entertainment’s takeover of Direct TV, for 14.5 billion dollars.

8. Italian-based Enel power supplier’s acquisition of 25% in Spain’s Endesa from Acciona for 11.1 bln euros, hence taking full control over Spain’s biggest hydropower producer.

9. RWE bought the production and delivery divisions of Dutch-based Essent for nearly 12.4 billion dollars, after the failed attempt to buy shares in British Energy.

10. Nuon, Holland’s one of the largest utility company, took over German-based utility company Vattenfall for 10.9 billion dollars.